LU launches investigation into engineering train incident on Northern line13 August 2010

London Underground says it has launched an investigation into an incident involving an engineering train on the Northern line this morning.

At 5.25am this morning, an engineering train undertaking rail maintenance became defective as it approached Archway, on the High Barnet branch of the Northern line. LU says engineers began to move the defective train northbound by coupling it to an out of service Northern line train, but at 6.44am it detached and rolled southbound.

LU diverted passenger trains to the City branch of the Northern line while directing the engineering train to the Charing Cross branch where passenger trains had been cleared and services suspended.

The engineering train came to a standstill at Warren Street at 6.57am, and LU has since suspended the use of all engineering trains of this type while investigations continue.

LU director Richard Parry says the line remains suspended to allow the investigation to be undertaken alongside the Rail Accident Investigation Bureau (RAIB)

"Safety is London Underground's top priority and we have, of course, launched an immediate and thorough investigation into this incident to establish the cause. Once that investigation is complete, we will publish the report, making its conclusions and recommendations clear.

"In the meantime, we have prohibited the use of this design of engineering train on the Underground."

Brian Tinham

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